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Cook Family Park draws regional visitors; council weighs camera upgrades after repeated vandalism
Summary
Parks Director Deon Giles reported Cook Family Park draws regional visitors (77% non-locals in a patron survey) and that bathrooms and slides experienced frequent vandalism; Council discussed installing cameras at Discovery Park and options for fiber or Starlink connectivity before adding security systems.
Parks Director Deon Giles told the council that Cook Family Park has become a regional draw and that vandalism has been a recurring issue at some park restroom and play structures.
Giles reported the park’s soft opening and ribbon-cutting last year and said a patron survey showed about 77% of users live outside Pleasant Grove. He also reported frequent vandalism concentrated in bathrooms and slides at Cook Family Park where no cameras are presently installed. For the cemetery, Giles said there are 193 lots currently available with another 700 in a new section, and staff plan to open additional sections as needed.
Council members discussed installing cameras at other sites including Discovery Park and the need to have fiber or secure in-house connectivity before deploying surveillance. Giles said Utopia Fiber discussions are underway and that Starlink is being researched as an interim option, but that in-house systems are easier to secure and maintain. Council Member LeMone asked for data to show the scale of vandalism; staff agreed to return with options and associated costs as part of the FY2027 budget review.
